But defense attorneys representing two former and two current members of the Washington chapter of the Hells Angels facing organized-crime charges question what proof prosecutors have.

"The government was not there, police were not there, and there are no fingerprints, no videotape, no hard evidence, just the testimony of Mr. Yates," said defense attorney Terry Kellogg, who is representing Binder.

Some Oregon Residents Upset at Prospect of Pumping Their Own GasBuzz 60

Doug Baldwin playcallingBy Michael-Shawn Dugar, SeattlePI

Van Crashes Into Pedestrians Injuring SixAssociated Press

US military to accept transgender recruits after Trump drops appealEuronews

Snow on Christmas Eve, 2017Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Ice carving at WinterfestSeattle Post-Intelligencer

Amtrak derails near OlympiaGrant Hindsley / SeattlePI

Golden retriever meets Darth Vader and EwokSeattle Post-Intelligencer

Seattle's tunnel project, 2017 in reviewWSDOT

Hillary Clinton Book Signing Capitol HillSeattle Post-Intelligencer

On Monday, 16 jurors heard the opening statements in the trial of Richard Jenks, 29, of Spokane; Rodney Rollness, 46, of Snohomish; Binder, 31, of North Bend; and Richard "Smiling Rick" Fabel, 49, president of the Washington Nomads, which is the state's chapter of the Hells Angels.

The motorcycle club was based out a former shop that Fabel ran in Spokane.

It is the Justice Department's first case of racketeering against members of Washington Nomads.

The four men face racketeering charges on 18 counts ranging from moving stolen vehicles to murder. If convicted, they each face a life sentence.

The star witness, J.T. Yates, received the most scrutiny, with defense lawyers describing him as a meth addict who regularly lied, was paid to testify, had been convicted of felonies and had a history of intimidating witnesses.

"After signing an agreement with the ATF, he commits a kidnapping," Jenks' attorney, Barry Flegenheimer, said of Yates. "He goes to prison, and while in prison, he then starts working on the Hells Angels case."

Another key witness, also a convicted felon, was found Friday to be in possession of a firearm and marijuana. Charges have not been filed, but the defense asked to be able to use the new information, contending it would reflect on the agreement the man had made with the FBI not to break any laws when he became an informant.

The courtroom was packed with supporters for the defense. The president of Chicago's Hells Angels chapter was there along with members from clubs in Denver. All wore earrings, belt buckles and embroidered shirts bearing the gang's famous logo.

Court access was guarded by four marshals, and visitors had to pass through two metal detectors, removing their shoes.

For security reasons and the safety of the witnesses, the prosecution will not be announcing the schedule for all those who will be appearing and testifying against the motorcycle gang during the 10-week trial.